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[merlinscribe]

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A question about Dragon Prophecy in relation to the other series

[(Anonymous)]

I want to start off by saying that I really love your work and am waiting eagerly for the next installment.
That said, when I started reading Crown of Vengeance (and on into Blade of Empire) I noticed a few details that weren't consistent with the details given in the original trilogy.

The most notable example is the fact that in Obsidian Mountain it states several times that, at the end of the first Endarkened War, the Elves had given up their share in the greater magics in exchange for peace and longevity. Yet, here in Dragon Prophecy, the first Endarkened War is still going on, the Elves still have magic, but they already seem to be living very long lives.

Another example is the notable difference between the goals of the Endarkened in the two series. (Oh, and also, the original trilogy stated that Savilla was the daughter of Uralesse, not Virion) In Dragon Prophecy the goal of the Endarkened is nothing less than the annihilation of created life and then returning to nothingness in union with He Who Is. But in Obsidian Mountain the goal of the Endarkened seemed to more or less just be conquering the world.

Now, I know that it is unfair to expect you to remember every detail of books written so long ago, especially since you have other series to keep track of. What I am wondering is whether the changed details were due to simply forgetting the details? Or are the details being retroactively changed to better fit the story that you want to tell? Or is it an in-universe example of details being lost or remembered incorrectly over time and goals changing over time?

Re: A question about Dragon Prophecy in relation to the other series

[(Anonymous)]

I think maybe your question about the difference in the Endarkened's goals is addressed in Blade of Empire where it discusses the difference between the Created, Created-and-Changed, and Born. Specifically, the Created-and-Changed and the Born were concerned that only the Created would be able to return to nothingness, and so their intent became prolonging the elimination of all life, and they set a plan in motion to destroy Virulion in the process. Savilla was one of the Born and when she destroyed Uralesse she was free to abandon the goal of returning to nothingness, which she likely thought wasn't possible for the remaining Endarkened.

It's likely that neither Savilla nor Uralesse knew Virulion was her father, and I wouldn't be surprised if by the time Savilla grew up Virulion was dead and she simply claimed Uralesse was her father to further her own ambitions, or maybe he claimed her to further his ambitions.

I've always chalked up the Elves' longevity difference to details being lost or remembered incorrectly. It's also possible that during Vielliesar's time the Elves lived longer than the approximately 15 centuries of Kellen's time (judging by how old Jermayen was when Ancaladar's bond was transferred). There may be some indications for that in Blade of Empire, though the way the information is given makes it difficult to ascertain with surety.

Re: A question about Dragon Prophecy in relation to the other series

[merlinscribe]

And you know, I wonder if Savilla was right about that? He-Who-Is clearly thought it would be one and done when He created the Thirteen, and if it had been, I imagine He would have absorbed them back into Himself, more or less. What he would do with several thousand far more earthy beings boggles the imagination, doesn't it?

Certainly Xhennara knows who fathered Savilla. The Lesser Endarkened don't (unless she's told them). Virulion probably knows as well, but whether he imparts that information to anyone remains to be seen. For an Endarkened, he's amazingly proud of creating new life.

As for Elven longevity: So many details are misremembered! (Even by the Elves.) I hope matters will start being sorted out with the next book.

Re: A question about Dragon Prophecy in relation to the other series

[(Anonymous)]

RE: Virulion being amazingly proud of creating new life, he seems to be amazingly proud of everything he does, always thinking he's so smart and clever, though it appears he's now outsmarted himself by marching wholeheartedly into Uralesse's trap. Hypocrisy and hubris reign supreme in the world of the Endarkened...truly ego run amok.

Re: A question about Dragon Prophecy in relation to the other series

[merlinscribe]

Well, if it didn't, the Endarkened wouldn't be Evil, now, would they? ;)

Re: A question about Dragon Prophecy in relation to the other series

[(Anonymous)]

It's noted subtly throughout the books that the constant wars between the Elven houses, and their culture, resulted in early deaths being the norm. That's what they mean by peace and long lives / longevity. Longevity as a result of the peace they earned.

As for Savilla / Uralesse / Virulion, it's entirely possible that Virulion died early on in the war before Savilla was fully grown and learned of her true parentage. But it's also possible that she thought of Uralesse as her adopted father because he was the one who showed her the ways of being Endarkened, etc. You know what I mean.

Re: A question about Dragon Prophecy in relation to the other series

[merlinscribe]

Certainly it is true that the majority of the Elves did not live out their "natural" lifespans, due to war and vendetta and other similar extreme sports. And that, too, was related to caste: imagine being a Landbond, and your great-great-grandchildren are still serving the same War Prince you did, with you dead around the age of 40.

I am fairly sure that the Lightborn have-or-had the longest comparative lifespan. Which is only one of the many reasons most people don't like them.

(I do indeed know what you mean re: Savila / Uralesse / Virulion. Indeed I do.)